There is an OTA update available, which I haven't done yet, of 261 MB.
I don't know what it does exactly (ICS maybe?)

Here is my question:

I'd like to upgrade the firmware to some version (unknown yet, this is the purpose of my question) which would allow me to:
1) root the phone, so I can install the Xposed framework which I use on another phone
2) enable the USB OTG

As I'm going to give this phone to my parents, who know nothing about Android, the upgrade has to be safe (i.e. when a new upgrade will be available via OTA, it must not brick the phone or do anything bad)

From reading the forum, I understand that people installed via USB the X900 (ICS?) update, which allowed rooting but with which some problems occured (wifi, 3G...), then people went back to "Orange ICS" but I'm not sure why and whether it could be rooted for Xposed.

So... as you can see, I'm a bit confused, and I'd like some knowledgable persons to help me in choosing the good decision/firmware, and direct me to the relevant URLs for tutorials.

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If you accept the OTA update you will not be able to root and of course install the Xposed framework (I use that too and it's excellent). It'll be a patched version of ICS.

In order to root you need the AIO tool developed by Ricky Wyatt, I'm hosting it here ?????????? along with the Xolo ICS rom via Dropbox. Be aware the tool is 1GB and the Xolo ICS rom 299MB in size and Dropbox keep suspending my public links because of traffic excesses (it's a basic Dropbox account) so it may take awhile to download :(

I've never used USB OTG but there is a thread around for it. The internal micro SD slot (not sim slot, lol) is easy to activate as long as you stick to an original ICS rom (either Orange or Xolo) so you can root.

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If you accept the OTA update you will not be able to root and of course install the Xposed framework (I use that too and it's excellent). It'll be a patched version of ICS.

In order to root you need the AIO tool developed by Ricky Wyatt, I'm hosting it here http://www.modaco.com/topic/367788-help-xolo-x900-bricked/?p=2188335 along with the Xolo ICS rom via Dropbox. Be aware the tool is 1GB and the Xolo ICS rom 299MB in size and Dropbox keep suspending my public links because of traffic excesses (it's a basic Dropbox account) so it may take awhile to download :(

I've never used USB OTG but there is a thread around for it. The internal micro SD slot (not sim slot, lol) is easy to activate as long as you stick to an original ICS rom (either Orange or Xolo) so you can root.

As regards Orange or Xolo I've personally never had a problem with the Xolo ICS and don't believe there's any difference although it's easy enough to go back to Orange.

If you go ahead then once completed you can uninstall the OTA app from the phone which will stop anyone from clicking on it and preventing you ever rooting again.

Good luck.

Hello BlueMoonRising,

Thanks a lot for your kind and informative (and compact!) answer.

I did gather from the numerous threads that it's relatively easy to go from the XOLO ICS to the Orange (UK) ICS, not sure why though: people mentioned problems of 3G/wireless, overheating, lower sound volume... with the XOLO update? What were the drawbacks for the Orange UK ICS, I wonder.

Anyway I'm going to download the AIO tool and root the phone, then install the XOLO update.

Does doing this cause any problem regarding the SIM-free status of the phone (the phone was unSIMlocked thanks to a code given to me by Orange)? I seem to have read some threads about that.

Thank you again really, I'll let you know about my progress!

P.S.: Yeah, I mixed up microSIM/microSD :P Sh*t happens! :rolleyes:

Edit: I can confirm that the Dropbox links are in error right now. Never knew this phone was so popular (I like it a lot myself, it's very fast with Gingerbread. Hope it will be even better with the XOLO ICS upgrade) :)

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Yeah, sorry about the Dropbox links, not much I can do about that I'm afraid.

You have to install the Xolo ICS rom before rooting, you can just copy it to the phones memory (root) and use recovery to install it. Just make sure not to install any OTA updates after.

I've never actually used the Orange ICS since the Xolo version was released first as a full rom. People have had various problems but I'm convinced it makes no difference whether you have Orange or Xolo.

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An alternative launcher helps. I'm using Smart Launcher Pro which is smooth as silk.

Hello,

I've looked to alternative launchers, but to be honest, I hate the whole 3D, animated and graphics-heavy ones, it's a waste as far as I am concerned. Also, the phone will go to my parents very soon, and they never had an Android phone so far, so I'd like the simpliest thing for them!

I'm still looking for the "perfect" launcher for them!

In other news, the Dropbox link is still in error. Is there a way to know approximately when the account will be back online? The blocking lasts 72 hours apparently, so how many hours has it been blocked for already?

Note that I'm not pushing, simply asking! You helped me a lot and I'm very grateful for that :)

Have a nice day, San Diego owners!

Edit: With the XOLO ICS, I can't, for the life of me, find the Gallery. It's nowhere to be seen! No "Photos" or "Pictures" or "Gallery" or any French translation for that! Where did it go?

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Now you've got the AIO tool downloaded I would first root and then flash Fibblesans stock pack (option 35) from the AIO tool. Then go for Borqs W32T GPU lib's (option 38) and finally Enable Sdcard (option 11). Don't forget to have a card inserted before using option 11.

Borqs W32T GPU lib's stops you having problems with some apps which didn't like the original gpu lib's. You can pretty much ignore all other options IMHO unless you're desperate to go back to Orange (there's no discernable difference except for different bloatware which you'll probably delete anyway).

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By the way, when you come to enabling the SD slot (presuming you want to) you have to be rooted of course Insert the card and close up and restart.

Use option (11) Enable Sdcard and after the restart use option (12) Enable Mass Storage (I restarted again and plugged the phone out to be safe).
Lastly run option (14) Enable Both sdcard xolo, it will tell you that you need to be deodexed to continue, this is incorrect. There is no need to deodex at all for any reason, I've tried it and it just causes problems.

After yet another reboot Windows will recognise both storage areas as does ES File Manager and Google Music Player.

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By the way, when you come to enabling the SD slot (presuming you want to) you have to be rooted of course Insert the card and close up and restart.

Use option (11) Enable Sdcard and after the restart use option (12) Enable Mass Storage (I restarted again and plugged the phone out to be safe).
Lastly run option (14) Enable Both sdcard xolo, it will tell you that you need to be deodexed to continue, this is incorrect. There is no need to deodex at all for any reason, I've tried it and it just causes problems.

After yet another reboot Windows will recognise both storage areas as does ES File Manager and Google Music Player.

I think I'll pass the SD slot for now, it would mean opening the back of the phone and stuff, I'm not in the mood for this right now. But thanks for the valuable tips. :-)

Lol, I had a look and was a bit confused too. Turns out it's hidden (along with a few others). Not sure why to be honest but I can't see a problem with unhiding them.

The installation was successful I think, as "Intel Android Device USB driver" version 1.1.5 is showing in my list of installed programs.
I am on Windows 7 Professional 64-bit.

- Unzipped tools.zips in a C:\SanDiego\tools folder

- Copied SanDiego.bat, setup32.bat and setup64.bat in C:\SanDiego
- Copied update.zip in C:\SanDiego\tools\bricked and C:\SanDiego\tools\xolo.
This update.zip is also in the root of the SDcard of the phone.

- I plugged the phone in the USB of the computer:
On phone: it's showing "USB debugging enable" and "Connected as a multimedia device (MTP)" in the notification

On computer: The phone shows as "Xolo_X900" in Removable devices on the computer, I can access the Mass storage from the computer.

You say you've checked and that adb.exe is hidden in C:\SanDiego\tools?
I've rechecked on my machine (settings are that all files are shown) and I don't see any adb.exe in the folder.

I do have a previous installation of adb which I used previously for (I don't remember what), it's in
C:\AndroidSDK\adt-bundle-windows-x86_64-20131030\sdk\platform-tools

Attached is a picture of a search for "adb" on my computer.

As I said, running SanDiego.bat brings a window on top of which is mentionned to "run adb-insecure..." and I'm completely confused about what I should do now :)

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Thanks a million for the link in MP, for taking the time to help me, and also thanks to rickywyatt for this tool!

The phone is now rooted, I'll proceed with option 35 then 38, not forgetting to kill adb between each!

I'm really happy it worked fine :)

Thanks. I'll let you know the final steps :)

Hello!

Update:

After for some struggle (understanding that "run adb-insecure" actually meant "run it on the phone AND grant it SU rights AND check the 2 boxes in ADB) and after 2 ou 3 reconnections of the phone to the computer, I am happy to announce that:

- <option 35> : done!

- <option 38> : done!

- <option Orange logo> : done!

The only thing I noticed is that it now has 2 camera applications: 1 new and the XOLO camera one, with its counterpart for the videos. Weird :)

Anyway, I left them both on the phone, why not?

I'd really like to thank rickywyatt & others for building such a convenient set of tools, and BlueMoonRising for helping me so much!